After a second, Aria came back to her senses.
"Can you take your hands off me?" she asked Zorvath, who was still holding her by the waist. Realizing it, he quickly stepped back.
"Are you okay, Aria?" Elara rushed forward, her eyes filled with concern.
"Tsk. Okay? Really?" Nick snapped, glaring at Elara. "I know you brought her here. If you hadn't, none of this would've happened."
Elara lowered her head in guilt.
"What did I say? Take her to a safe spot. Is the top of a tree your idea of safe? What are you two, monkeys?" Nick continued angrily.
"It's not her fault. It was me who—" Aria tried to defend her, but Nick cut her off.
"Leave that aside. When Sinas flirted with you, were you enjoying it?"
"Nick, STOP!" Elara shouted, her voice trembling with anger. The street fell into silence for a moment.
Aarav and Zorvath stood quietly, simply observing the scene unfold.
"Aria," Zayn said, stepping forward, "why were you staring at him when he was leaving?"
Aria hesitated. Her heart pounded. She knew if she told them the truth—that Sinas had been her crush for years and she had plans to transfer to SVS—they would never forgive her.
"I..."
Suddenly, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen—it was her driver. Thank God.
"This is my chance," she whispered to herself.
"Guys, I'm really sorry for everything that happened today. But I have to leave now," she said quickly.
Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Elara's hand and ran off, leaving the boys behind. Everyone knew she had used the call to escape the confrontation—she wasn't ready to answer their questions.
Zorvath turned to Nick. "Who even is this girl? Since when does Elara talk to us?"
Nick let out a deep breath. "She's Aria. A new student. No wonder—on her first day, she beat up Mira and won over the students. Elara started hanging with us because of her. I think Aria's... different."
Aarav and Zorvath listened closely.
"Do you think she has a crush on him?" Jayden asked.
Nick shook his head. "Whether she does or not, we can't allow it. If she joins SVS, it's not just about her—it's about our pride. And…"
He trailed off.
"I don't want history to repeat itself," Aarav finished, his tone cold.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Keep an eye on her," Zorvath commanded. "Don't let her get near anyone from SVS. In fact, not just her—watch every SBH student. I have a feeling Sinas is planning something."
Aria's pov
As soon as I stepped into my room and locked the door, I finally let out the breath I didn't even know I was holding. What the hell just happened today? My knees still ached from that stupid fall, and my head was a whirlwind of emotions. Elara… what is she going to think when she finds out the truth? What about the others—Nick, Leo, Zayn, Zorvath? Especially Zorvath… he scares me. He really does. But there's something in his eyes that doesn't let me hate him either. Still, the way he held me today—it was intense, possessive. My heart races just thinking about it, and I hate that.
But what bothers me more is Sinas. Is he really like they say? A monster? Someone who hurts people for fun? That's not the boy I've imagined in my head for all these years. It doesn't make sense. Maybe there's a misunderstanding. There has to be. I can't accept it just like that. I need to find out the truth for myself, no matter what it takes. And Aarav… he was so calm through all of it. Protective, but not in a scary way like the others. Honestly, he's the only one who didn't make me feel like I was being suffocated.
I've only been here for one day, but everything's already a mess. They say they're protecting me, but I can feel it—it's not about me, it's about their pride. I'm not stupid. If they find out I was ever planning to transfer to SVS, they'll probably hate me forever. But I can't back away now. I need answers. And if the truth hurts… then so be it.
Today, I know I'll have to give answers—so many of them—but I'll manage it. I will manage it.
As I reached the main gate of SBH, my eyes landed on him. Sinas. What the hell is he doing here?
Panic surged through me. If I talked to him now, everything would spiral into chaos. I needed to avoid him. I had to avoid him. So, I started walking inside quickly, not even glancing his way.
"Beauty."
My heart skipped.
He called me. And damn it, I really wanted to turn around and talk to him. But I knew some SBH boy—maybe Zorvath, maybe Nick—was probably watching from somewhere.
Suddenly, he grabbed my hand. Gently, but firmly.
Fine. I give up.
"What is it?" I snapped, trying to sound indifferent.
"Ohh Aria, so rude. Is that how you talk to someone this handsome?" he said, smirking.
"May I know your name?"
Should I tell him? If I didn't, he'd probably find out anyway.
"I'm Aria," I said, flashing a quick smile and tucking my hair behind my ear.
Why did I do that?!
"Nice name. I'm Sinas. We met yesterday."
"Oh… yeah, I remember," I replied awkwardly, trying not to sound too eager. Why am I acting like I still have a crush on him?!
"Can I get your number?" he asked smoothly.
Aria, no. Don't. Don't fall into this. The truth isn't clear yet.
"S–"
Before I could finish, a loud voice boomed across the ground.
"WHAT THE FUNK ARE YOU DOING!!!" Aarav shouted.
I flinched. I had no idea he could be that loud. I was dead.
"None of your business," Sinas replied casually, as if Aarav wasn't two seconds from throwing a punch.
I silently prayed another fight wouldn't break out—especially not because of me. And of course, in that very moment, the rest of the SBH boys showed up, their eyes locked on us.
Realizing he was outnumbered, Sinas finally stepped back.
"Bye, baby," he said with a wink, blowing me a flying kiss before walking away like nothing happened.
And right then… I started to wonder.
Maybe they were right about him after all.
I know if I stay here, I'll only end up in more trouble.
There's only one way—run.
…
Uff, finally reached the class.
I dropped into my seat, breathless. Elara wasn't here yet. And I hoped Aarav would just let everything go.
I sat quietly, eyes shifting to the door every few seconds, waiting for Elara to walk in. My heart was still racing from everything that had happened.
"Aria."
Oh no. That voice—I didn't even need to look. It was Aarav.
"Isn't that your name?" he asked calmly.
"Yes… You're Aarav, right?" I replied, forcing a small, polite smile.
He nodded but didn't say anything more for a moment. Why was he silent? He came all the way here first… what was he thinking?
"Aria," he finally spoke again, his tone more serious this time. "I believe Elara told you everything about Sinas."
Yeah. She did. But still…
I have to know the truth myself.
There might be a misunderstanding… there has to be. But I can't tell Aarav that. Not him. Not after what happened to his sister.
"Yeah," I said softly. "She did."
I couldn't meet his eyes. I just couldn't. Aarav was already broken, and I couldn't be the one to hurt him more.
But… what if Sinas isn't what they think?
And what if… I'm wrong?
I kept my gaze on the desk, trying to calm my thoughts. Aarav was quiet, but his presence was heavy—like he was holding back something that burned too deep to be spoken casually.
"Aria," he finally said, his voice calmer now, "you seem confused."
I looked up slowly, unsure if I should speak, but I nodded. "I didn't expect any of this, Aarav. Not the fights, not the drama… not Sinas."
"You don't know who to believe, do you?" he said softly. "I get it. You're new. You don't owe anyone anything yet."
I didn't answer. He was right.
Aarav stepped back, leaning against a desk beside mine. "I won't force you to believe us. But people like Sinas… they know exactly what to say and how to act. That's what makes them dangerous."
I swallowed hard. "You're saying he's fake?"
"I'm saying he knows how to make people fall for a version of him that doesn't exist."
Silence settled between us before I asked, "What really happened with your sister?"
His jaw clenched, and I saw something shift in his eyes.
"Sinas happened," he said bitterly. "He was the one who broke her.. She believed in him… loved him. Thought she could be the one to fix him. And he destroyed her."
My heart sank.
"He made her feel like she mattered, then turned around and made her feel worthless. By the time she realized the truth, she was already too deep. We had to pick up the pieces."
"I'm sorry," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Aarav looked at me, and his expression softened just a little. "I know you're not her. I know you're your own person. But just… don't repeat her mistake."
I nodded slowly. "I won't. I just need to see things clearly before I decide anything. I don't want to hurt anyone. Not you, not Elara… not myself."
Aarav let out a slow breath. "That's fair."
We didn't smile. We didn't shake hands. But the silence between us wasn't cold anymore—it was understanding. And in that moment, I knew he wasn't just warning me for pride… he was trying to protect me too.
The heavy silence melted, and Aarav looked like he wanted to say something else—but this time, not serious.
"You always this dramatic?" he asked, one eyebrow raised.
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
"That whole running from the street like a movie heroine scene? You've got talent. If school doesn't work out, Bollywood is calling."
I scoffed. "Oh please, says the guy who threw a full punch in front of the entire road like it was an action film trailer."
He smirked. "I don't punch for free, you know. You're lucky you got front-row seats."
I rolled my eyes. "Wow. So humble."
"I try."
I laughed, surprising myself a little with how natural it felt. Aarav leaned a little closer, that playful spark in his eyes now fully awake.
"So… you always throw yourself off trees for fun or was that a one-time performance?"
I groaned. "You're never going to let that go, are you?"
"Not a chance. The way you fell like— 'ta-da I'm here, everyone pause the fight!'" He mimicked the scene with dramatic arm movements.
I shook my head, covering my face with my hands, laughing. "It was NOT like that!"
"It was exactly like that."
"You're worse than Elara," I muttered.
He grinned. "That's a compliment. Elara's my favorite."
"Oh? So you do have favorites."
"Only when they jump off trees for me."
I gave him a look. "Remind me never to talk to you again."
Aarav chuckled. "Too late. We're already stuck in the same chaos. You might as well get used to my amazing company."
I shook my head again, still smiling. This felt good. Unexpected, but good. The day had started with fear, tension, and confusion… but maybe, just maybe, it was ending with something new—comfort.